Another view of today's holiday

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.” Washington Irving

I thought of this quote when I talked to a lady who had left the hospital to ride on the shuttle van with me. She had left the hospital to return today to collect some things her husband had in his room when he died.

She told me she wished she didn't have to go back, but she wanted to have the items left behind, not for any value, but to have something tangible. The sudden death of her husband was not unexpected. After so many years of fighting (and winning) after disease and blood clot and everything, she thought this was just another hurdle he'd jump over.

But the race ended, and her trip alone back home to her family faraway begins today.

I just cannot imagine starting a Valentine's Day like that....